Qur'ānic sciences in al-Biqāʿī's tafsir named Nazm al-durar

The sciences of the Qur'an, which aid in understanding the Holy Qur'an, are crucial sources of knowledge that no commentator should neglect. The more a commentator knows and utilizes these sciences in their interpretation, the more valuable their exegesis becomes, attracting greater attention to the issues they address. While there have been debates on the number, nature, and inclusion of the sciences of the Qur'an in the methodology of Qur'anic exegesis (Ulum al-Qur'an), it is certain that serious consequences would arise if these sciences were not known. Burhān al-Dīn Ibrāhīm b. ʻUmar al-Biqāʻī, a commentator from the 9th century (d. 885/1480), utilized the sciences of the Qur'an in his exegesis titled Nazm al-durar fī tanāsub al-āyāt wa-l-suwar, despite its scattered nature. He provided useful explanations and offered enlightening perspectives when necessary. Al-Biqāʻī gained fame through this commentary, particularly earning praise for his treatment of contextual relationships and facing objections due to his direct quoting from the People of the Book. In this study, we will focus on how al-Biqāʻī addressed the sciences of the Qur'an in his exegesis and whether he brought a unique perspective to the issues. In conclusion, the scattered discussions on the sciences of the Qur'an in the commentary Nazm al-durar are consolidated, aiming to contribute to researchers' understanding of Nazm al-durar from the perspective of Qur'anic sciences. The goal is to facilitate recognition of the commentary in terms of the sciences of the Qur'an and provide an opportunity for comparison with commonly accepted knowledge in the field of Qur'anic sciences.